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The Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance MEC, Xolile Nqata, would be obtaining legal opinion on what Bhisho can do to respond to the failure by Nelson Mandela Bay Council to elect a mayor at its meeting this week.
This is according to Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha, the spokesperson for Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane, during an online media briefing on Thursday.
He said the Provincial Executive Committee was concerned with the situation in Nelson Mandela Bay after the Municipal Council held a Special Meeting on Tuesday but failed to elect a mayor as directed by two court orders.
Speaker, Buyelwa Mafaya, who had earlier contracted Covid19, adjourned the meeting to 4 December after several hours, that included several adjournments, and following news of the passing of ANC chief whip, Ncediso Captain after a short illness.
“The Municipal Council did nothing to comply with the court order,” Sicwetsha said.
He said the Executive decided that the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Xolils Nqata, obtain a legal opinion and report back to the Exco.
“The MEC will then submit a report to the Executive Council about available options to deal with the challenges facing the Metro, including the failure by the Council to elect a Mayor for the Municipality,” Sicwetsha said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance, which obtained the court order, said it would be returning to court for an order finding the Speaker in contempt of court.
DA Provincial Leader, Nqaba Bhanga, said they also want Buyelwa Mafaya, to personally pay the cost of the latest application.
The matter will be heard on Tuesday in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
